Back to School Preparation

Many students face going back to school with both excitement and anxiety. Depending on their social circles, extra-curricular activities and goals, going back to school can be a chance to start fresh after an enjoyable summer. One common activity teacher's use to break the ice on the first day of school is having students give a short presentation on how their summer vacation was.

There are many ways to prepare to return to school and many parents of students get used to these routines since they are necessary each year. Sometimes, students are provided with a list of school supplies needed to participate in the school year. This list tends to become smaller as the student gets older but the items on it tend to cost more. For example, students in kindergarten may need crayons, colored pencils and watercolors, glue sticks, pencils, erasers, scissors, a ruler and paper, all for just drawing pictures. When a student is entering eighth grade, they sometimes have to purchase a calculator, which is easier to keep track of, but much more expensive than buying simple art supplies. Some supplies are needed for elective classes, such as language dictionaries and gym shoes.

Many students also know when they go back to school they will get to pick out new school clothes. Many parents suggest their student save money over the summer, birthdays and holidays to buy whichever clothes they may like. Many stores also participate by having huge sales because they know how it's a well-known time of year for massive shopping.

Finding out who their new teacher will be for the year is something students also look forward to when getting ready to go back to school. It is common for schools to publish lists outside of school windows or doors indicating with students have which teacher. A newer method used is publishing a list on the school website for the community to see.

Some students in high school and junior high are able to choose their own classes and register online to make sure a spot is available to them. This gives the student a chance to participate in planning how their day will flow and is appreciated freedom. Sometimes a class may be filled and the student will have the option to sit in during the first day to see if a spot becomes available. If a spot is not available, the student may have the opportunity to enroll the following quarter or semester.

Students are not the only ones who get ready to go back to school. Teachers also put a lot of time and effort into preparing classrooms, planning curriculums, ordering books, booking field trips and ordering supplies. Maybe teachers do not have a large budget given by the school to finance supplies and responsible for providing their own.

Some teachers are given expensive supplies by the school board that they are responsible caring for. Students may be able to use a calculator or laptop computer during a class activity and then have to hand it back in before leaving the classroom.